6-Misconceptions on Heating + Indoor Air Quality

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to usher in stringent air quality laws, many U.S. households are under the misconception about heating systems and indoor air quality.

1: New high performance heating systems never need maintenance.

To ensure safety, all heating systems should undergo an inspection.

Preventative maintenance checks for loose parts and debris accumulation, which can sometimes lead to hazardous scenarios.

2: Residential environments always have the best indoor air quality.

The EPA states that many U.S. household’s indoor air quality pales in comparison to that of a manufacturing or industrial facility. When the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in paint, wood finishes and some home cleaning detergents blend with the carbon emissions released from the heating and air conditioner, these factors contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

3: All heating systems basically call for the same energy requirements.

On the contrary, heating systems engineered before 2002 are less energy-efficient than today’s heating system appliances. Because the EPA and the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) instituted specific AFUE annual fuel utilization standards, heat pump, air handlers, ductless heating systems, furnace and other heating devices must be in compliance.

4: Indoor air quality has nothing to do with allergies, asthma or the respiratory conditions.In contrast, poor IAQ has a direct relationship to allergens as well as asthmatic attacks.

5: Programmable thermostats have nothing to do with energy savings.

When home dwellers use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature throughout the day based on the home’s occupancy, energy savings range from 5 to 10 percent a year.

6: It’s more cost effective to repair a furnace than replace it.

Hoffmann Brother’s, a heating and air conditioning contractor based in Saint Louis explains, “It’s futile to keep repairing any furnace more than a 10-years old, as these units lack the energy efficiency of today’s models.